Apparatus for continuously panning dough

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for continuously forming and placing a series of dough pieces in a predetermined array on a pan by stepping the pan back and forth and in a forward direction under the forward end of a continuously moving dough conveyor.

United States Patent 1 Gugler 1 June 19, 1973 APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY2,573,100 10 1951 Haecks 53 123 x PANNING DOUGH 2,103,086 12 1937 Miller425 150" 1,753,393 4/1930 Van Houten 425/150 [76] lnventqr: Victor F.Gugler, 8920 Helen 2,590 323 3 1952 53 244 Avenue, Sun Valley, Calif.91352 1,781,546 11 1930 Harber 425 150 2,709,974 6/1955 Hunter ct a153/244 [221 M"- 1971 2,949,034 8/1960 Johnson et a1: 53 123 [21] Appl.No.:- 124,052 Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser AssistantExaminerDavid S. Saf'ran [52] U.S. Cl. 198/19, 53/160, Atmmey HamS KiechRussel] & Kern 1511 Int. (:1. B653 47/26, B23q 7/00 [58] Field of Search425/150, 425, 430, [57] ABSTRACT 425/434, 453; 53/123, 160, 244; 198/34,19, Method and apparatus for continuously forming and 135 placing aseries of dough pieces in a predetermined array on a pan by stepping thepan back and forth and [56] References Cited in a forward directionunder the forward end of a con- UNITED STATES PATENTS tinuously movingdough COl'lVCYOl. 2,728,508 12/1955 Marasso 425/434 X 4 Claims, 6Drawing Figures PATENTEBJUN 9:915

NS mw QM \w. mm mm IN l EMTOR VICTOR F. GUGLER 5y H/5 Awazuz s HARE/5;M50 RUSSELL /(seu APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PANNING DOUGH The presentinvention relates to dough processing apparatus for use in bakeries andthe like and more particularly to an improved method and apparatus forcontinuously placing a series of dough pieces in pans, trays, sheets,and other open containers hereafter referred to generally as a pan orpans.

One of the factors presently limiting the speed with which dough maybeprocessed in bakeries is the speed with'which dough pieces may be fedfrom a moving conveyor and accurately positioned in a pan. Suchoperation is commonly referred to as panning and is often accomplishedby hand.

In an attempt to speed up panning operations, apparatus has beendeveloped which directs a series of pans along a pan conveyor and underthe forward end of a dough conveyor. The pans are periodically stoppedand started by means engaging either the underside or top surface of alead pan. Dough pieces fed along the dough conveyor are then permittedto drop onto forwardly displaced spaces on the lead pan which when fullis released to travel with the pan conveyor. The panning operation isthen repeated for the next pan and so on.

The panning apparatus heretofore developed is relatively complex, costlyto construct and maintain, and is limited to forward motion control forpans. This means that for each separate row of dough pieces to be pannedby the apparatus in use today, there must be a separate series of doughpieces fed along the dough conveyor. This requires duplication ofdough-forming machinery which is quite expensive.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a simple and inexpensive apparatus and method for continuouslypanning dough pieces and which is capable of controlling both theforward as well as the lateral position of pans on a moving pan conveyorto thereby permit a number of rows of dough pieces to be accuratelyplaced in a pan from a single se ries of dough pieces fed along a doughconveyor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved methodand'apparatus of the foregoing character which is capable of operatingat higher speeds than presently available panning apparatus.

A further object of the present invention is to provide high speedapparatus for automatically and accurately panning dough piecesincluding a selectively operable pan stop for engagingand halting thelead pan of a series of pans on a moving pan conveyor, laterally movablepan guide means for engaging and controlling the lateral positionof thelead pan, and means for operating the pan stop and pan guide means insynchronism to'rapidly and accuratelystep the lead pan fromside to sideandin a forward direction along the pan conveyor to receive dough piecesin a predetermined array as they fall from the forward end of a doughconveyor.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be moreclearly understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionwhen taken with the drawings which, by way of example only, illustrateone form of panning apparatus embodying the features of the presentinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a panning apparatus including the features ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of the panning apparatusillustrated in FIG. 1 showing theforward end of a dough conveyor incombinatio'n with a cutter and means for controlling the positioning ofpairs moving on a pan conveyor below the dough conveyor;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2;P

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view similar to FIG. 3 with the doughconveyor and cutter removed to expose the pan conveyor and mechanismsfor regulating the forward and lateral movement of a series of pans onthe pan conveyor; i

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of the stop means of the apparatus ofthe present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic top view of a pan on the pan conveyorillustrating by consecutive numbers the drop points for two series ofdough pieces with forward and lateral movement of the pan under theforward end of the dough conveyor.

Generally speaking, and with reference to the-apparatus shown in FIGS.1, 2, and 3 in the process of the present invention, dough in the formof one or more relatively narrow parallel strips, such as 10 and 12, istransported in a forward direction along the top surface of a doughconveyor 14 toward a forward end 16 thereof. At the forward end 16, thedough strips 10 and 12 are periodically severed by a cutter 18 such thatrelatively short dough pieces fall from the forward end 16 downwardlyonto a lead pan 20 positioned on a pan conveyor 22 below the doughconveyor 14 and cutter 18. The pan conveyor 22 is continuously ,movingin a forward direction while the position of the lead pan 20 iscontrolled by stop means 24 and pan guide means 26. i

The stop means 24 is adapted to engage and halt the lead pan 20 atvarious positions on the pan conveyor, while the pan guide means 26 isadapted to engage and control the lateral position of the lead pan onthe pan conveyor. The operation of the pan stop means 24 and pan guidemeans 26 is synchronized with operation of the cutter l8 such'that thelead pan 20 is selectively stepped from side to side and in a forwarddirection under the forward end 16 of the dough conveyor 14 to receivethe dough pieces in a predetermined array as they fall from the doughconveyor. The array of dough pieces received by the lead pan 20 may beas illustrated in FIG. 6 including four rows and three columns of doughpieces. When the lead pan 20 is filled, as indicated in FIG. 6, it isadvanced with the pan conveyor 22 and replaced by the next pan 20a in aseries of pans on the conveyor 22. Pan 200 then becomes the lead pan andis selectively moved from side to side and in a forward direction byoperation of the stop means 24 and pan guide means 26 to receive a likearray dough pieces. i From the foregoing brief description, it is to beappreciated that the method and apparatus of the present invention forpanning dough is simple yet fully automatic. Moreover, the ability ofthe apparatus to move the lead pan 20 from side to side as well asselectively stepping it in a forward direction permits the lead pan tobe completely filled with a plurality of rows of dough pieces from a.single or pair of dough strips severed by operation of the cutter 18.This eliminates the need for duplication of apparatus for forming doughstrips for each row of dough pieces to be placed in the pan.

Further, being synchronized to operation of the cutter, the panningapparatus of the present invention may be closely regulated toaccurately position dough pieces in corresponding spaces on eachsuccessive pan. This allows other apparatus synchronized to movement ofthe pan conveyor to accurately dispense food items onto the dough piecessuch as nuts and the like, thereby eliminating further manual operationsin the bakery process with which the apparatus of the present inventionis associated.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and in particular toFIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the dough conveyor 14 comprises a first upwardlyinclined section 28 and a second downwardly inclined section 30. Thefirst section 28 comprises a continuous belt 32 extending around andbetween a pair of horizontal substantially parallel. shafts 34 and 36.The shafts are supported for turning about their respective longitudinalaxes by side members 38 extending along opposite sides of the belt in aforward direction. The shaft 34 is supported at a forward upward end ofthe side members 38, while the shaft 36 is supported at a lower rearwardend of the side members, the lower end of the side members beingconnected to vertical legs 40 supporting the first conveyor section 28above the pan conveyor 22.

Like thefirst section, the second section 30 includes a continuous belt42 extending around and between horizontal substantially parallel shafts44 and 46. The shafts are supported for turning about their respectivelongitudinal axes by side members 48 and 49 extending along oppositesides of the belt 42 in a forward direction. The shaft 44 is supportedat a forward end of the side members 48 and at the forward end 16 of theconveyor 14 while the shaft 46 is supported at the rearward upper end ofthe side members 49 which are secured to the forward upper end of theside members 38. The side members 49 are further supported by verticals50 extending from the top of a table structure 52 supporting the panconveyor 22 such that the dough conveyor 14 lies over a rearward portionof the pan conveyor with the forward end 16 adjacent the cutter 18.

Also supported from the side members 49 is a pair of dough strip guides54 and 56. The dough guides are of similar construction and eachincludes a pair of vertically extending parallel plates 58 havingoutwardly diverging forward and rear ends. The plates are connected to across arm 60 supported by verticals 62 extending from the tops of theside members 49 and are spaced from each other to receive and guide thedough strips and 12 as they move along the top of the belt 42 toward theforward end 16 of the dough conveyor.

The upper surface of the conveyor 14 is continuously moving in a forwarddirection. This is accomplished by a motor drive 64 having its outputcoupled as by a chain 66 to a sprocket 68 on the shaft 36. Operation ofthe motor drive 64 produces a turning of the sprocket 68 and hence acontinuous forward movement of the upper surface of the belt 32. Themovement of the belt produces a turning of the shaft 34 which in turndrives the shaft 46 as by a chain 70 extending around and betweensprockets 72 and 74 on the shafts 34 and 46 respectively. Thus, thestrips of dough 10 and 12 being introduced to the belt 32 traveltherewith upwardly to -the belt 42 and then downwardly between the doughguides 54 and 56 to the forward end 16 of the conveyor 14 where they areperiodically severed by the cutter l8.

As illustrated most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cutter 18 comprises agenerally rectangular flat blade 76 having a sharp cutting edge 78.Oppositesides'of the blade ride in channels (not shown) formed inhorizontal blade guides 80. The blade guides are secured to side members48 supported by verticals 84 above the table structure 52 The blade 76is held between support plates 86 and is pivotally coupled at 88 to oneend of a drive rod 90. The opposite end of the drive rod 90 is pivotallycoupled at 92 to a flywheel 94 secured to the drive shaft 96 of a motordrive 98. As the drive shaft turns in response to operation of the motor98, the drive rod 90 is reciprocated to slide the blade 76 back andforth in the blade guides 80 with the cutting edge 78 periodicallysevering the dough strips 10 and 12 as they curl downwardly over theforward end 16 of the dough conveyor 14. This is accomplished withoutthe blade actually severing or otherwise damaging the belt 42 as itpasses around the shaft 44.

As the blade 76 severs the dough strips 10 and 12, dough pieces fallfrom below the blade onto the lead pan 20 which is selectivelypositioned below the forward end 16 of the dough conveyor 14 on the panconveyor 22.

As most clearly illustrated in FIG. 1, the pan conveyor 22 comprises acontinuous belt 100 extending around and between shafts 102 and 104.Opposite ends of the shafts are supported by parallel side members 106of the table structure 52 for turning about their respectivelongitudinal axes. The shaft 102 is supported at a rear end of the sidemembers 106 while the shaft 104 is supported at a forward end of theside members. Other horizontal shafts extend between the side members106 and provide additional vertical support for the belt 100.

The pan conveyor 22 is continuously driven in a forward direction. Toaccomplish this, the drive shaft of a motor 108 is coupled to the shaft102 by a chain 110 extending around and between sprockets on the motordrive shaft and shaft 102. Operation of the motor 108 thus produces aturning of the shaft 102 and continuous forward movement of a topsurface of the belt 100 to move the series of pans including the leadpan 20 under the forward end of the dough conveyor 14.

As previously indicated, the lead pan 20 is selectively stepped fromside to side and in a forward direction under the forward end 16 of thedough conveyor 14 to receive the dough pieces as they fall from theforward end 16 in an array similar to that illustrated In FIG. 6. Thestop means 24 and pan guide means 26 provide the selective control forstepping the lead pan 20 from side to side and in a forward direction.

More particularly, as illustrated in FIG..4, the pan guide means 26comprises a pair of laterally movable pan guide arms 112 and 114. Thepan guide arms extend in a forward direction over the top of the panconveyor 22, are parallel to each other, and are adapted to engageopposite sides of the lead pan 20. Rear ends of the movable guide armsare pivotally connected at 116 and 118 to the forward ends of fixedhorizontal guide pan arms 120 and 122 extending over the top of theconveyor 22 to guide the series of pans forward along the pan conveyor.A control arm 124 extends across the top of the pan conveyor, issupported for sliding movement in verticals 126 secured to the sidemembers 106, and is connected to the movable pan guide arms 112 and 114.The control arm maintains the parallel relationship between the guidearms 112 and 114 and imparts lateral movement to the arms and hence tothe lead pan when it is desired to move the lead pan from side to sideon the pan conveyor 22.

Various means may be employed to selectively swing the movable pan guidearms 112 and 114 over the top of the pan conveyor 22 to step the leadpan 20 between a plurality of lateral positions. In the illustrated formof the invention, such control means comprises a disc 128 supported forturning on a vertical shaft 130. Formed in the top of the disc is aclosed loop cam slot 132 in which rides a follower 134 connected to oneend of the control arm 124. The cam slot 132 may take various shapesdepending upon the number of lateral positions to be assumed by the leadpan 20. Using two dough strips to produce the array of dough pieces onthe lead pan 20 illustrated in FIG. 6, two lateral positions arerequired for the lead pan. This is produced by a cam slot having ageneral shape similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein there is anare 136 of about 160 having a relatively small radius joined to an arc138 of about 160 of a relatively large radius. As the follower 134 movesin the cam slot 132, it causes the control arm 124 to reciprocate backand forth between first and second positions. The first and secondpositions correspond to the follower 134 being in the arc 138 and 136respectively. Such motion of the control arm 124 produces a lateralswinging of the movable pan guide arms 112 and 114 between first andsecond positions as illustrated in FIG. 4 to laterally step the lead pan20 between corresponding first and second lateral positions illustratedin FIG. 6.

Likewise, various means may be employed to selectively stop the lead pan20 at various positions in a forward direction under the forward end 16of the dough conveyor 14. In the illustrated form of the invention, andas most clearly represented in FIGS. 4 and 5, the panstop means 24comprises a control plate 140 carrying a pin carrier 142. The controlplate 140 is hinged at 146. to the movable pan guide arm 112 and extendslaterally across the top of the pan conveyor 22 over the pan guide arm 114 to apoint just beyond the side member 48 of the table structure 52.There, the control plate 140 bends downwardly at right angles andcarries on its lower end a pad 148 having a lower face which is upwardlyinclined in a forward direction. The pin carrier 142 comprises a plate150 having a plurality of pins 152, 153, and 154 extending downwardlytherefrom. The pins are equally spaced from each other in a forwarddirection. The number of pins depends upon the number of positions atwhich it is desired to stop the lead pan 20 under the forward end 16. ofthe-dough conveyor 14. In the illustrated form of the invention, it isdesired to stop the pan 20 at three different forward positions. Thus,three equally spaced pins extend downwardly from the carrier plate 150and each is adaptedto selectively engage the rear lip 21 of the lead pan20 as illustratedin FIG. 5. Thepin carrier 142 is secured to the controlplate 140 as by a bolt 156 extending upwardly from the carrier plate 150through an opening 158 in the control plate 140 to receive a wing nut.160. The opening 158 is elongated in a forward direction to permitselected prepositioning of the carrier plate 150 by loosening the wingnut 160 and sliding the plate to the desired position relative to thecontrol plate 140 and then tightening. the wing nut.

From the showing of FIG. 5, it is appreciated that upward lifting of thecarrier plate 150 will permit the lead pan 20 to be released from thepin 152 and to move forward with the pan conveyor 22 under the forwardend 16 of the dough conveyor 14. If the carrier plate 150 is lowered,the rear lip 21 of the lead pan 20 wild engage the next pin 153 to haltthe lead pan in a second stop position. The same operation is repeatedfor a subsequent raising of the carrier plate 150 and a lowering tocause the pin 154 to engage the rear lip 21 of the lead pan. This occursat a third-stop position. The three-stop positions are diagrammaticallyillustrated in FIG. 6.

Various means may be provided for selectively lifting the carrier plate150 to allow the lead pan to advance between the three stops positions.In the illustrated form of the invention, such control is provided by ahorizontal wheel 162 secured to a vertical shaft 164. Rollers 166 and168 are secured to the peripheral surface of the wheel 162 for a turningtherewith. As the wheel turns, the roller 166 engages the inclined faceof the pad 148 to cause a lifting of the control plate and hence thecarrier plate to release the pin 152 from the rear lip 21 of the leadpan 20 and allow the pan to advance with the moving conveyor 22. Thelifting of the carrier plate 150 is only momentary since the wheel 162continues to rotate. As the roller 166 exits from the pad 148, thecontrol plate 140 again falls to engage the top of the movable guide arm114. Thisoccurs prior to the lead pan 20 reaching the pin 153 whichengages the rear lip 21 of the pan to stop the pan in its second stopposition. This operation is repeated when the roller 168 engages the pad148 to again lift the carrier plate 150.

As previously discussed, the operation of the pan guide means 26 and theoperation of the stop means 24 are synchronized and are preferablysynchronized with operation of the cutter 18 such that the lead pan 20is selectively stepped from side to side and in a forward direction toreceive the dough pieces in a predetermined array as they fall from theforward end 16 of the dough conveyor 14. Preferably, and when two seriesof dough pieces are produced by operation of. the cutter, as in theillustrated example, the lead pan 20 is first stepped to one side, thenforward, then to an opposite side, then forward, and then again to thefirst side. Referring to FIG. 6, the preferred stepping of the lead panis from the lateral position No. 1 to the lateral position No. 2, to thestop position No.2, to the lateralposition No. 1, to the stop positionNo. 3, to the lateral position No. 2, and so on.

To produce the desired synchronization of the stop means 24 and panguide means 26 to the operation of the cutter 18, the drive shaft 96 ofthe motor 98 for the cutter 18 carries two coincident sprockets 170 and172 around which pass chains 174 and 176. The chain 174 extends around aslightly larger sprocket 178 supported on a vertical shaft 180 locatedon one side of the cutter while the chain 176 passes around a similarslightly larger sprocket 182 mounted on a vertical shaft 184 located atan opposite side of the cutter. The sprockets porting the wheel 162 andcam disc 128 respectively,

such that the wheel and cam disc turn with the shafts 180 and 184 in a1:1 relationship.

Further, the angular relationship between the cam disc 128 and wheel 162is pre-adjusted. The preadjustment is such that the roller 166 wildengage the pad 148, lift the carrier plate 150, and hence release thelead pan 20 immediately after the follower 134 enters the arc 136, thatis, the portion of the cam slot 132 having a relatively small radius,and immediately after the cutter 18 has operated to sever the strips 10and 12 and deposit dough pieces in the spaces marked 2 in FIG. 6. Thuspre-adjusted, the roller 168 will engage the pad 148, lift the carrierplate 150, and release the pin 153 from the lead pan immediately afterthe follower 134 has entered the are 138, that is, the portion of thecam slot having a relatively large radius, and after the cutter hasoperated to sever the dough strips and deposit the dough pieces in thespaces marked 4 in FIG. 6.

Thus synchronized, the dough pieces are deposited in the arrayillustrated in FIG. 6 as follows: two dough pieces are deposited whenthe lead pan 20 is in the lateral position No. l in the spacesrepresented by the numerals 1; the lead pan is then shifted to lateralposition No. 2 and two dough pieces are deposited in the spacesillustrated by the numeral 1 2; the stop means 24 is then released andthe lead pan advanced to the stop position No. 2 where two dough piecesare deposited on the pan in spaces represented by the numeral 3"; thelead pan is then shifted to the lateral position No. 1 where two doughpieces are deposited in the spaces illustrated by the numeral 4; thestop means is then momentarily released and the lead pan advanced to thestop position No. 3 where two dough pieces are deposited in the spacesmarked by the numeral 5; the lead pan is then shifted to the lateralposition No. 2 where two dough pieces are deposited in the spacesindicated by the numeral 6; the stop means is then momentarily releasedto allow the lead pan to advance with the conveyor 22 while the pan 20amoves to engage the pin 152. Pan 20a then assumes the roll of the leadpan in lateral position No. 2 and the above operation continues.

From the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that thepresent invention provides an extremely simple yet highly efficientapparatus and method for automatically and rapidly panning dough piecesas they fall from the forward end of amoving conveyor. Because of theextreme accuracy with which the present invention deposits dough pieceson a pan and because of the speed of operation of the panning method andapparatus, the present invention makes possible the mechanization ofsubsequent bakery operations such as the regulated dispensing of nuts,cinnamon, and the like to the tops of the dough pieces and permits asubstantial increase in the rate at which bakery products may beprocessed within a bakery.

While a particular apparatus and process have been described in detailherein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the presentinvention be limited in scope only by the terms of the following claims.

1 claim:

1. Apparatus for controlling the position of pans on a forwardly movinggenerally horizontal conveyor, comprising:

pan stop means for engaging and halting a leading pan of a series ofpans at different stop positions along said moving conveyor;

laterally movable pan guide means engaging said lead pan on saidconveyor;

first control means for periodically and momentarily releasing said panstop means to permit said lead pan to advance with said conveyor betweensaid stop position;

second control means for periodically stepping said pan guide meansiaterally back and forth across said conveyor between predeterminedlateral positions; and

synchronizing means for operating said first and second control means ina predetermined sequence with said first control means operating atregular intervals after a predetermined number of operations of saidsecond control means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said pan guide means comprises a pair of laterally movable guide armsfor engaging opposite sides of said lead pan;

said apparatus further includes means for pivotally supporting rearwardends of said guide arms such that forward ends of said guide arms arefree to swing in a generally horizontal direction to move said lead panfrom side to side on said conveyor; and

said second control means includes a control arm coupled to said guidearms for swinging said guide arms from side to side when it is desiredto laterally reposition said lead pan on said conveyor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

said stop means comprises a plate hinged for vertical movement from afirst of said guide arms adjacent one side or" said conveyor andextending laterally over said conveyor toward a second one of said guidearms, and a plurality of vertical pins carried by said plate and spacedfrom each other in said forward direction for consecutively engaging arearward lip of said pan upon a momentary raising and a lowering of saidplate to halt said lead pan at various positions on said conveyor; and

said first control means comprises means for periodically andmomentarily raising said plate.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said first control means includes a wheel carrying a plurality ofangularly spaced lobe means for periodically engaging and momentarilyraising said plate with a turning of said wheel;

said second control means includes a cam and a follower forreciprocating said control arm to move said guide arms from side to sidewith a turning of said cam; and

said apparatus further includes drive means for turning said wheel insynchronism with said cam such that said lead pan is moved from side toside and in a forward direction to receive dough pieces in apredetermined array as they fall from a forward end of a moving doughconveyor.

i 8 k 4K UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE CORRECTION Patent No.3, 739 900 Dated June 19 1973 Invent VICTOR F GUGLER It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected} as shown below:

Column. 6, line 6, "wild" should be --will--.

Column 7, line 5, 'wild should be --'-will--;

line 26, delete the numeral "1" before Signed and sealed this 27th day'of November l973.

At; ,5 v

EnwAfii-u JLPLETCHERJR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer v ActingCommissioner of Patents FORM PO- 1050( 10-69)

1. Apparatus for controlling the position of pans on a forwardly movinggenerally horizontal conveyor, comprising: pan stop means for engagingand halting a leading pan of a series of pans at different stoppositions along said moving conveyor; laterally movable pan guide meansengaging said lead pan on said conveyor; first control means forperiodically and momentarily releasing said pan stop means to permitsaid lead pan to advance with said conveyor between said stop position;second control means for periodically stepping said pan guide meanslaterally back and forth across said conveyor between predeterminedlateral positions; and synchronizing means for operating said first andsecond control means in a predetermined sequence with said first controlmeans operating at regular intervals after a predetermined number ofoperations of said second control means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein: said pan guide means comprises a pair of laterally movableguide arms for engaging opposite sides of said lead pan; said apparatusfurther includes means for pivotally supporting rearward ends of saidguide arms such that forward ends of said guide arms are free to swingin a generally horizontal direction to move said lead pan from side toside on said conveyor; and said second control means includes a controlarm coupled to said guide arms for swinging said guide arms from side toside when it is desired to laterally reposition said lead pan on saidconveyor.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said stop means comprisesa plate hinged for vertical movement from a first of said guide armsadjacent one side of said conveyor and extending laterally over saidconveyor toward a second one of said guide arms, and a plurality ofvertical pins carried by said plate and spaced from each other in saidforward direction for consecutively engaging a rearward lip of said panupon a momentary raising and a lowering of said plate to halt said leadpan at various positions on said conveyor; and said first control meanscomprises means for periodically and momentarily raising said plate. 4.The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said first control means includes awheel carrying a plurality of angularly spaced lobe means forperiodically engaging and momentarily raising said plate with a turningof said wheel; said second control means includes a cam and a followerfor reciprocating said control arm to move said guide arms from side toside with a turning of said cam; and said apparatus further includesdrive means for turning said wheel in synchronism with said cam suchthat said lead pan is moved from side to side and in a forward directionto receive dough pieces in a predetermined array as they fall from aforward end of a moving dough conveyor.